State Partnership Program

Established in 2003, the goal of the State Partnership Program is to establish broad reaching, friendly ties between partner states and partner countries at all levels of society utilizing the National Guard as the catalyzing force and means of support.

September 2016 marked the 25th anniversary of Tajikistan’s independence, and the partnership between the Virginia National Guard and Tajikistan is in its 14th year. As part of the SPP, the Virginia National Guard regularly conducts information exchanges on a variety of subjects related to security and emergency response operations. The Guard also facilitates trips from Tajikistani officials to the United States.

Officers from the Tajikistan Ministry of Defense who specialize in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives response operations conducted an information exchange with personnel for the Virginia National Guard’s 34th Civil Support Team Feb. 21-22, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The exchange was part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program that links states and partner nations in support of mutual interests, and their visit also included a tour of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center and meeting with officials from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

SPP News

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Bowling Green-based 91st Cyber Brigade conduct a mountain warfare exchange and an advanced tactical planning exchange with soldiers from the Republic of Tajikistan May 16 - 20, 2022, in Romit, Tajikistan.
VNG Soldiers conduct mountain warfare, tactical planning exchanges in Tajikistan
June 14, 2022
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Bowling Green-based 91st Cyber Brigade conducted a mountain warfare exchange and an advanced tactical planning exchange with soldiers from the Republic of Tajikistan May 16 - 20, 2022, in Romit, Tajikistan. 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers conduct an infantry tactics exchange and countering unmanned air systems exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan March 7-11, 2022, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. They were conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.
VNG conducts infantry tactics, unmanned air system exchanges in Tajikistan
March 14, 2022
Virginia National Guard Soldiers conducted an infantry tactics exchange and countering unmanned air systems exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan March 7-11, 2022, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conduct a medical exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan Dec. 6-10, 2021, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The exchange was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.
Virginia National Guard Members conduct medical exchange in Tajikistan
Jan. 5, 2022
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conducted a medical exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan Dec. 6-10, 2021, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The exchange was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.
Brig. Gen. James Ring, Virginia National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, and Col. Todd Hubbard, VNG Operations Chief, visit Regional Cooperation 2021, a U.S. Central Command-led exercise designed to promote cooperation among the U.S and partner nations in Central and South Asia, June 14, 2021, in Helena, Montana. Fifteen Virginia Soldiers participated in the event and were integrated in various staff positions and used the opportunity to strengthen their relationship with their state partners from Tajikistan. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)
VNG builds partnerships at Regional Cooperation 21
July 14, 2021
Fifteen Virginia National Guard Soldiers participated in Regional Cooperation 2021, a U.S. Central Command-led exercise designed to promote cooperation and joint combined capabilities among the U.S and partner nations in Central and South Asia, or CASA. The annual exercise, held this year June 7-17, 2021, at Fort Harrison, Montana, was a brigade-level command post exercise. Virginia Soldiers integrated into various roles, often working alongside partner nation military members.
Officers from Tajikistan Ministry of Defense who specialize in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives response operations conduct an information exchange with personnel for the Virginia National Guard’s 34th Civil Support Team Feb. 21, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear)
Tajikistani officers conduct information exchange with 34th CST
Feb. 24, 2017
Officers from the Tajikistan Ministry of Defense who specialize in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives response operations conducted an information exchange with personnel for the Virginia National Guard’s 34th Civil Support Team Feb. 21-22, 2017, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The exchange was part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program that links states and partner nations in support of mutual interests, and their visit also included a tour of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center and meeting with officials from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.